Two toddling tots

I love hearing all kinds of stories about grandchildren.

Recently I learned from Amanda that 10-year-old Ethan had his first 'real' girlfriend. It lasted all of two days and one of those days the girlfriend was out of school, sick.

Later, it seemed she decided she was too young to be in a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship, so now they are just friends.

They grow up fast these days. Back in the Stone Age when I was 10, we girls still had cooties according to the boys of the same age.

Our daughter Rachel always has stories about Arianna and Eli who are two-and-a-half years old.

One post on Facebook read: Slowly but surely I'm learning that I can't be sarcastic to a 2-year-old. When Eli turns the lights off on me, I can't say "Thanks, Eli. That was a big help." Without expecting the response, "You're welcome, Mommy." I told him I was being sarcastic. He didn't get it.

Last fall, Rachel had good news to post: Just sold our changing table. No more diapers.

When did my babies turn into big kids? I do like Eli's house rules though, "No peeing on the couch. No peeing on Mommy. Those are the Rules!"

Rules are important to both Arianna and Eli.

One day, Arianna came to tattle on her brother. Eli was in their parent's bedroom, alone. That was a no-no and she knew it. Off she went to tell Mommy.

It turned out that Eli had gone into the quiet room to get away from his sister. He had tried working his puzzle in the living room, but she kept bothering him.

Recently, Rachel told me a longer story about her two. I'll attempt to retell it for you.

As you read, there are rules to follow in the Giblin house. Both Arianna and Eli know if they break Mommy and Daddy's rules they have to take a time-out. That means sitting on their time-out stools.

If they are naughty, Mommy will send them there for a specific time, say two minutes. Rachel then sets a timer so everyone knows when the time-out is over, even Mommy.

The other day, Eli threw a toy car across the living room. (That's against the rules.) Before Mommy Rachel could react, someone else stepped in.

"You never, ever throw toys," Arianna firmly addressed her brother - the boy-propelled-missile had come a little too close to her. "That's against the rules. Did you hear me?" (Rachel heard her own words coming out of her daughter's mouth.)

Arianna wasn't finished. She was one determined little girl.

I can just imagine her standing in the center of the room pointing her finger at Eli as she said, "You take a two-minute time-out! Are you listening to me?"

She ordered him to his chair, but she didn't set the timer, so his punishment only lasted a minute, if that.

Still Arianna wasn't through with her brother. When she figured his time was up, she said, "Now say you're sorry and give a hug."

Eli did exactly what she told him to do, including hugging her.

But there was one more thing Arianna added, "Never, ever do that again." Finally, Arianna was satisfied, Eli had been punished, and Mommy Rachel didn't have to do one thing.

When I checked my facts about this incident, Rachel had just watched Eli playing near her.

Eli took his stuffed animal duck to their play kitchen, talking to the toy as he went. "You cold Ducky?" he asked. "You can go in here to stay warm." Eli tucked the duck inside the oven. No rule breaking here, just cute.

Last Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa Giblin were visiting from Illinois. No matter which set of grandparents comes, a lot of talking and laughing takes place.

They were having supper, when Arianna caught someone else breaking the rules. "Grandma, don't . . ."

Grandma Jo didn't quite understand all that Arianna had said and asked Rachel to repeat the message.

Rachel hesitated a moment, and then repeated her daughter's words. "Arianna said you're not supposed to talk with your mouth full, Grandma."

All the adults burst out laughing.

Rachel says that's what you get when you teach your children manners. "They are at a very honest stage right now."

I guess Grandpa Bob and I will have to be on our best behavior the next time we visit our grandchildren in Madison. Otherwise I'm sure little Arianna will tattle on us, too.

**Remember to enter my second book give-away contest for Words in My Pocket, Book Two, 1984-85. Send Bob a birthday card by February 25, 2012 (His actual birthday is January 17.) A random drawing will select three winners from the cards sent. Good luck.

Susan Manzke, Sunnybook Farm, N8646 Miller Rd, Seymour, WI 54165; Sunnybook@aol.com; www.susanmanzke.net; http://www.facebook.com/susan.manzke.